AMAZING HEALTH BENEFITS OF EATING DRIED FRUITS

Dried fruits vs fresh fruits: which should you eat and which is better? The debate between fresh and dried fruits can be confusing. Some believe fresh is always best, offering products in their natural state. Others argue that dry fruits benefits with their nutritional value are higher. When it comes to dieting, factors like cravings, calories in dry fruits, and health benefits all play a role. While dried fruits have been around for centuries, they have recently gained popularity.

In this article, we explore the best dry fruits for health and weight loss, dry fruits’ nutritional value and calories, the difference between dried fruit vs fresh fruit, and the top benefits of dry fruits.

What is Dried Fruit?

Unlike fresh fruits, dried fruits naturally lose 80 to 90% of their water content over time through sun exposure or dehydrators. They are a suitable snack for someone looking to boost their health and fulfill the craving for a sweet snack while keeping a healthy diet at bay.

Most fruits can be dried; popular options include raisins, dates, peaches, and apricots, which people traditionally consume. However, delectable options have a unique taste; mango, raspberries, blueberries, and cherries are infused with an artificial sweetener like stevia or sucrose syrup before drying.

When considering dry fruits and their benefits, it's important to understand that they offer a concentrated source of essential nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants. Adding dry fruits and their benefits into your diet can support overall health and well-being, making them an excellent choice for a nutritious snack.

Dried Fruit vs Fresh Fruit

Dried fruit vs fresh fruit is an interesting comparison. Dried fruits are an ancient practice from 1700 B.C. in Mesopotamia. They have the earliest record of dried fruits found on clay tablets and several baked breads with dried fruit recipes. Even the ancients knew that there were many dried fruits benefits; despite being relatively the same size, dried fruit had much higher fiber intake and larger proportions of vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients.

The drying process also increases antioxidants within fruits, which are chemicals found in fruits and vegetables that help the body combat free radicals, which are known to contribute to adverse aging.

On the other hand, fresh fruits maintain their condition, contain most of the micronutrients a body needs, and are lower in calories. Yet, natural fruits can cause distress and indigestion for some individuals due to the type of fiber within them; on the contrary, dried fruits like prunes have soluble and insoluble fiber, which promotes gut bacteria and helps individuals who suffer from constipation and bloating.

There are many benefits of eating dry fruits daily, such as boosting immunity, supporting heart health, and promoting digestive health. Additionally, some people rely on dry fruits for weight loss. When considering dried fruit vs fresh fruit, it's clear that both have unique advantages, making it important to include both in a balanced diet.

Boost Immunity

Immunity system health relies heavily on micronutrients that help prevent cell degeneration and elevate white blood cells. As fruits enter the dehydration process, the water content is replaced by added nutritional value. For instance, antioxidants are linked to a healthy immune system by fighting free radicals, which play a role in oxidative stress that lowers immunity levels. These antioxidants regulate the body by lowering oxidative stress, fighting infection, and reducing inflammation making dried fruit benefits incredible.

1. Dates are rich in fiber and antioxidants and contain several vitamins and minerals.
2. Raisins are a good source of iron, copper, magnesium, and potassium.
3. Dried apricots contain beta-carotene, vitamin A, and flavonoids like anthocyanin.
4. Prunes contain potassium, Boron, and vitamin K.
5. Dried blueberries are rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients.
6. Dried mango and oranges contain vitamin C and antioxidants.

Given the above, it’s clear that incorporating various dried fruits into your diet provides a concentrated dose of micronutrients that can boost immunity. The dry fruits’ nutritional value highlights their role in supporting a healthy immune system and overall well-being.

Have Weight Loss Properties

Weight gain is often associated with cravings and an inability to manage portion control. Unfortunately, most foods have high calories but fail to suppress the appetite. Dried fruits like raisins, prunes, and dates, known for their appetite-suppressing abilities, contain high fiber intake, which in turn promotes weight loss.

Additionally, dried fruits benefits are obvious in fruits like apricots, which are naturally sweet, offering an alternative to added sugar. But remember, portion control is key for a balanced diet. For those who enjoy savory dishes yet crave fruit, sun-dried tomatoes are the best dried fruit for weight loss while enjoying an extra boost of antioxidants for radiant, cancer-free skin.

Enhance Gut Health

Another dried fruit benefit is that they have high levels of soluble fiber, nearly eight times the amount of regular fruit; this can promote gut health by aiding digestion as it’s easier to break down. Fibers are part of prebiotics, healthy gut bacteria naturally found in the body as “microflora”, which helps the stomach and intestines break down food.

Consuming dried fruits like figs and prunes, among other benefits of dried fruits, has shown the ability to help the stomach recover health and create suitable environments for healthy gut bacteria, relieving upset stomachs and helping with digestion.

Dried fruits like cranberries and pineapple rings are also notable sources of antioxidants and vitamin C; antioxidants have shown a tendency to reduce inflammation within the intestine lining by protecting it from free radicals. According to the National Library of Medicine, dates and raisins affect human gut microbiota composition in a potentially beneficial manner.

Improve Cardiovascular Health

According to Science Daily, a clinical trial proved that consuming cranberry powder (equal to 1 cup of fresh cranberries) daily for a month improved blood vessel function in healthy men; this suggests that cranberries may benefit cardiovascular health. Dried papaya is also a rich source of antioxidants and minerals like potassium that can contribute to overall health, including potentially reducing the risk of heart disease.

Dried fruits can greatly impact cardiovascular health when consumed properly; research has shown promising results in improving blood circulation, fat levels, and heart disease. However, most research indicates caution when consuming dried fruits; here’s why:

1. Dried fruits contain soluble fiber, which needs time to digest; this regulates blood sugar levels and may lower LDL cholesterol.
2. Dried fruits contain potassium, which helps widen blood vessels and promote elasticity, regulating blood pressure.
3. Dried fruits like prunes contain rich antioxidant levels, which can regulate the nervous system.

Because of the calories in dry fruits, moderation is a must. Extra pounds can impact weight, which affects cardiovascular health;  new studies link weight, obesity, and heart and kidney disease. So, moderation and weight management are key when consuming dried fruits or any food. Remember to always consider the calories in dry fruits to maintain a healthy balance.

Slow Down Bone Deterioration

Bones typically require vitamin D and calcium to maintain structure and health. However, recent studies have shown that dried fruits contain phytochemicals and vitamins that aid bone health. According to J.N. The Journal of Nutrition, an American nutrition specialized journal, the advantages of dry fruits for bone loss can be prevented by eating dried plums, especially in menopausal women with estrogen deficiency.

Dried plums contain Boron, phenolic compounds, and vitamin K that boost metabolism and sustain bone density by increasing markers of bone formation. Despite plum research focus, some studies have linked figs to bone care diets due to nutrients like Potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Adding dried fruits to your diet not only helps in maintaining bone health but also offers numerous other health benefits of dried fruits.

Manage Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is a cardiovascular-related issue; it’s known that salty foods may result in high blood pressure. The sodium in salt tightens blood vessels, increasing pressure. On the other hand, potassium has a vasodilator ability, which reduces blood pressure by reducing blood pressure against artery walls.

Managing blood pressure is an advantage of eating dry fruits. Studies have found that consuming dried fruits like raisins, apricots, dates and banana coins containing rich potassium levels may help drop blood pressure levels, particularly systolic blood pressure. Dry fruits’ nutritional value can help make informed dietary choices that support overall well-being.

There are many dried fruits benefits for health. Any diet should focus on improving mental and physical health; food associations can greatly impact how our bodies respond to what we eat, so remember to eat with love, moderation, and great care.